Media Advisory: White House, USDA to Announce Federal, Private-Sector Commitments

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Contact: Damon Thompson

USDA/REE Office of Communications

(202) 997-6125

 

White House, USDA to Announce Federal, Private-Sector Commitments to Expand and Diversify U.S. Agriculture Workforce at Oct. 6 Event

WASHINGTON – The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Oct. 6, 2016 will announce a number of federal and private-sector commitments as part of a White House initiative to expand and diversify the U.S. agricultural workforce.

Graduates with backgrounds in science, technology, engineering and math—the STEM fields—are in high demand in agriculture. A report by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Purdue University projected a shortfall of over 22,000 agriculture professionals each year between 2015 and 2020.

The America the Bountiful initiative brings together multiple agencies and stakeholders to meet this demand and increase the number and diversity of skilled agriculture workers. The initiative also expands research and training opportunities in agricultural sectors central to meeting future food challenges.

 

Who: Jo Handelsman, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Associate Director for   Science
Catherine Woteki, USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics
Joe Leonard, USDA Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
Michael D’Ambrose, Archer Daniels Midland Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
Robin Habeger, DuPont Pioneer Academic Outreach Manager
Sherri Brown, Monsanto Vice President of Science Strategy

What: Unveiling of “America the Bountiful” initiative, followed by panel discussions and program demonstrations by invited students

When: October 6, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. EDT

Where: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Whitten Patio
1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C.

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